Research projects

Carbfix2

The CarbFix2 project aim is to continue developing the CarbFix method. The CarbFix method is a method where sour gases (CO2 and H2S) are mixed with water and then injected into the subsurface where the gases mix with the host rock and then turn into rock.

OR Role:

Project Management, as well as providing the geothermal gasses from Hellisheiði Geothermal Power Plant and using the Hengill Geothermal Field for injection of those gases.

Grant:

Horizon 2020 – EU3.3.2. Project id: 764760

Partners:

OR, Centre National de la Recherche, Science Institute at the University of Iceland, Amphos 21 and Climeworks

S4CE

S4CE will develop a project that includes fundamental studies of fluid transport and reactivity, development of new instruments and methods for the detection and quantification of emissions, micro-seismic events etc., lab and field testing of such new technologies, and the deployment of the successful detection and quantification technologies in sub-surface sites for continuous monitoring of the risks identified by the European Commission.

OR role:

At Hellisheidi Geothermal Power Plant S4CE will aim to a) quantify the environmental impact of sub-surface geo-energy applications; (b) demonstrate the new technologies; (c) collect data during the duration of the project.

GECO

The main goal of GECO is to lower emissions from geothermal power generation by capturing them for either reuse or storage. This will be done 1) by further optimizing gas capture and injection infrastructure at Hellisheidi and thereby further lowering emissions; 2) by implementing lessons learned at Hellisheidi at 3 other field site demonstrations across Europe and 3) by combining the success of the CarbFix approach with corresponding gas re-use approaches.

Heatstore

The main objectives of the HEATSTORE project are to lower the cost, reduce the risks and to optimize performance of high temperature (~25 to ~90°C) underground thermal energy storage technologies by demonstrating 6 distinct configurations of heat sources, heat storage, and heat utilization. Technical, economic, environmental, regulatory and policy aspects will be addressed that are necessary to support efficient and cost-effective deployment in Europe.

OR role:

The role of OR in this project is through two different case studies and is in both cases related to numerical simulations. On one hand we are looking at possible seasonal injection of surplus hot water from the Nesjavellir high temperature field into a low temperature system within Iceland´s capital area. On the other hand we are looking into linking recent advances in academic/research reservoir modelling tools that ETH Zurich have developed and conventional commercial field scale modelling schemes that are currently used for the Hengill area. The aim is to be able to simulate deeper parts of the system.

Grant:

Geothermica - Rannís.

Partners:

SPARCS

Urban ecosystems generate an Information Society with citizens being at the centre of the decision process and aware of the city’s activities. A top priority is to set up inclusive management and planning models, ecosystems and processes, with involving companies, city planning and technical departments, and citizen and research organizations.

OR role:

Reykjavík City has created an ambitious action plan that includes steadily increasing ratio of electricity-powered modes of transport including creating an electric public transportation corridor. Reykjavík Energy partnered up with the city to achieve this plan.